It’s never too early to introduce kids to the performing arts and young children love to dance so it’s great that English National Ballet and English National Ballet School are going to present MY FIRST BALLET: CINDERELLA on a National Tour which visits the Peacock Theatre in the West End 11-22 April returning 18-23 July.
They’re describing it as “the story of Cinderella, who is tormented by her stepsisters and not allowed to attend the Prince’s ball. Left behind to an evening of chores, she is visited by her Fairy Godmother who transforms her into a Princess who shall go to the ball” and “a reimagined version of the classic fairy-tale created especially for children as young as three. Adapted to an hour in length and with a narrator to help young audiences follow the story”.
From the sounds of things I'd agree with the producers when they claim “My First Ballet: Cinderella is the perfect introduction to the magic of ballet”.
There’s so much about classical ballet that can enthral children and the fact that the opportunity to experience the thrilling leaps, twirls and artistry of professional ballet dancers within the frame work of a well known story like Cinderella which they already know sounds perfect, as does the running time of an hour which is just long enough to hold the attention of your young fidgety friends and relations.
This is the sixth year of this project so we can expect that the choreographer George Williamson, an award-winning former student of English National Ballet School, will have a strong grasp on what does and doesn’t work when making ballet for young audiences. Previous My First Ballet productions have presented kid friendly reinterpretations of Swan Lake, Coppélia and Sleeping Beauty.
Williamson says: "I'm proud to be working with English National Ballet and the School to lead the way in creating tailor made productions for children, offering what for many will be their first experience of a ballet performance.”
It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the company to try out some exciting younger talent and the piece will be performed by second year students of English National Ballet School. This gives them a chance to get valuable rehearsal and performance experience within a professional touring company and give you and your family the chance to spot ballet stars of the future.
There’s also a an exciting opportunity for youngsters and their adult friends and family to take part in on-stage creative dance workshops, devised to provide a “gateway into the world of ballet”
We’re promised that “Children and their parents/ guardians will have the opportunity to learn extracts from the production with English National Ballet dance artists and get up close to costumes and scenery".
For more information, please go to www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
If you enjoy catching celebrities in West End shows you'll no doubt be excited to hear that Damian Lewis (Star of TVs HOMELAND and BILLIONS) will be appearing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA. You may have read in the Evening Standard that Eddie Redmayne will be appearing with him. That's a misunderstanding on their part, he was in the last West End production of the play, not the forthcoming one.